"breathing problem"

#1068898

24 February 2016

A gold mining worker walks a muddy ally toward to the pit at Blaay village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068899

24 February 2016

A man filters the sand and the rock to find gold particles beside the river below gold mining sites near Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068905

24 February 2016

Gamblers and spectators watch a cockfight at Batobalani cockpit in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February. Many gold mining workers crowd and gamble on the cockpit every weekend.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068910

24 February 2016

The main road toward to Palacale from Manila in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068884

24 February 2016

Mining workers climb down a underground pit, which is the depth of more than 50 meters, with the help of only ropes in Tawig village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 8 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068891

24 February 2016

Donardo(17) communicates with colleagues in the underground pit by pipes in Tawing village. He have worked in the underground mining since fourteen years old in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 8 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068894

24 February 2016

A boy play alone beside the river below Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February. Mercury-contaminated water flows from the gold mining area into the river and poses health risks for local communities.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068903

24 February 2016

Betting managers call for a final bet to gamblers at a cockpit at Batobalani village outside Palacale in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February. Cockpit is one of the most popular gambles and sports in Philippines.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068879

24 February 2016

A gold mining worker carries a load out to Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February. Locals basically use the motorcycle for transportation to Maning village. But they have to walk from the main road to the village for two hours after the rains due to muddy roads.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068880

24 February 2016

After a heavy rain, mining workers search for gold ore from the sand and the rock in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February. Almost residents, an estimated seven hundreds, are engaged in gold mining business.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068908

24 February 2016

Craftsmen work for making jewelries from gold in Palacale, Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February. A veteran craftsman say the gold business in Palacale have been going on for four hundreds years, its time of Spanish rules. We always have been living with the gold. The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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